Unfolding The Canvas of Learning: Learning Step 11

The seeds of learning are embedded in the minds of growing children. When a child sees an object, a deep-seated curiosity to understand it takes root; the mind yearns to learn about and experience it. Driven by this motivation, the child’s hands and eyes move instinctively toward the object. As the urge to reach the object grows, significant changes occur in the child's physical movements.

Experts in child psychology and well-being consider this stage crucial for mental and brain development. Just as eye contact is essential for relationships and understanding, the coordination between eyes and hands known as eye-hand coordination is a vital activity. If one observes a child closely, one can see them pointing, waving their hands, or stretching their legs toward an object that has captured their interest.

This eye-hand coordination paves the way for future skill development, including visual skills, manual dexterity, and kinesthetic abilities. Therefore, parents should not view actions like grasping, moving, shaking, breaking, or tearing objects merely as play; instead, they should recognize the underlying learning opportunities and support the child in these activities. While preschools generally focus on fostering these skills during lessons, such abilities actually begin to emerge within just a few months of birth.

The next significant milestone in a child's growth journey occurs when they begin to crawl. We generally view a child crawling at home as a delightful and joyous event. We often worry that a crawling child might grab or break something, or fear the injuries and accidents that could occur in unsafe environments. However, Western research indicates that crawling is crucial for a child's mental development and well-being.

Regarding brain development, the left and right hemispheres control various functions. Generally, the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, while the right hemisphere controls the left side. Consequently, the movements involved in crawling help strengthen both the left and right hemispheres of the brain.

This left-right coordination is essential for the proper functioning and health of various body parts later in life. Some health and wellness experts even recommend crawling exercises for older adults; there is a widely held view that this practice helps prevent Parkinson's disease and various age-related ailments. So, why not try crawling a little with your children?